Determined to bring her to pleasure once more, he matched the stroke of his tongue across her button with slowly increasing penetration into her tight little cunt. Her fingers clutched his shoulders as she urged him on with soft cries. He went deeper, finding a place that made her quiver, and concentrated on her pleasure button, sucking the entire nub into his mouth until he felt her body tighten around him and she climaxed in a wave of liquid heat.
Mmm, perfect. He licked up the result of her pleasure and regretfully removed his tail. He tested her with a finger, then two. Still tantalizingly tight, but her body stretched to accommodate him. He could wait no longer.
Rising over her, he notched the head of his cock at the small entrance, the dark green of his shaft shocking against her deep pink flesh. He pushed gently but her body resisted. His tail found her pleasure button and tugged. Her hips jerked upwards and he slid inside. Never had he felt anything so hot and tight, so welcoming. Her fragrance surrounded him, making his head spin with excitement and he pushed deeper, determined to bury himself in her.
“Oh.” Her fingers clutched his shoulders and he dragged his gaze away from the sight of her stretched around his cock. Her eyes were wide and startled, her small blunt teeth closed on her plump lower lip.
“Is something wrong?”
“No,” she said quickly. “Just so full.”
“Should I withdraw?” He started to pull back, but her legs came up to circle his hips, restraining him.
“No. Just give me a minute.”
It took all of his self-control to obey. His cock throbbed and his body wanted to plunge deeper, harder into the silken fist of her cunt. An idea came to him and his tail swept across her pleasure button again. Ah. He felt the rush of liquid, saw her eyes grow heavy with pleasure. He repeated the movement and her hips rose, taking him deeper.
He could wait no longer—he buried himself to the root and she took all of him, her legs still clinging to him. Tightening his grasp on her hips, he began thrusting, helpless to the instinct to take, to pleasure, to fill her with his seed. Her body shuddered and she cried out as he felt her channel convulsing around him, squeezing him impossibly tighter as he moved faster, harder. He felt his cock swell and for the first time in his life, the knot formed at the base, locking him in place as he finally, finally expelled his seed in long hot pulses, collapsing down over her as he shuddered through the exquisite pleasure.
When his knot had formed, he had heard her cry out again, had felt her tremble with her own liquid response. Now he forced himself to raise his head, to check and make sure that she was not in discomfort.
“Are you well, Mariah?”
“Well?” she raised heavy eyelids. “You can say that again.”
“Why would I—”
“I mean yes, very much so.” She squirmed a little and they both groaned. “I thought I was full before but… wow.”
“You are not uncomfortable? I understand that it will take some time before it diminishes.”
“No, I’m not uncomfortable.” She wiggled again, her eyes fluttering shut. “You know, this is actually kind of nice. You have to stay and cuddle instead of jumping up and leaving.”
Shocked, he could only stare at her. “Leaving? Why would I do such a thing?”
“Some Earth males like to leave after sex,” she said with a shrug that sent another ripple of pleasure through their joined bodies.
“They are fools. I can think of no greater pleasure than holding you in my arms like this.”
“You’re very sweet, Cestov.” She raised her hand and stroked his face, small fingers soft and comforting. “I want to find my sister, and I know you want to find your brother just as much, but I’m glad that we have this time together.”
“As am I, my miri. As am I.”
His knot eventually went down and he reluctantly slipped free. He insisted on fetching a cleansing cloth, carefully inspecting her for damage. Her delicate folds were dark pink and slightly swollen, but she showed no discomfort when he cleansed her, and her small channel had closed back down, only a small pearl of fluid remaining at the entrance.
“You are comfortable?”
“Yes. And sleepy.” She gave him a contented smile. “Are you going to sleep with me?”
“Of course.” How could she even ask? “Unless you would rather I did not?”
“Don’t be silly. Of course I want you to stay.”
“Is that another thing that Earth males do? Not remain to sleep with the female?”
“Sometimes.”
“Then they are doubly fools.”
He climbed in next to her, tucking her against his body as he ordered the lights to dim. Never had he felt this level of happiness. His female warm and safe in his arms, her scent surrounding him, his seed filling her. Once again, he was struck by a vision of her ripe with child and a sharp spike of pain went to his heart that it would never be. Was this what his brother had felt? This longing for a mate and a child? How could he have been so blind as to not realize what a gift it would be?
Mariah’s breathing slowed and deepened as she slipped into sleep and he had to force himself not to clutch her against him in the vain hope that he could keep her. He had promised to help her find her sister and to see her home. He would keep that vow, no matter how much it would cost him.
Chapter Thirteen
“Trevelor up ahead,” Plovac announced.
Mariah leaned closer from her position on Cestov’s lap, excited to see a new planet for the first time. She had been concealed when approaching Driguera and then asleep when they had left. She watched in amazement as the planet grew larger in the viewscreen. The landmasses and oceans looked normal enough, although the colors were deeper and richer than the ones most commonly seen in images of Earth from space.
“Not long now,” Cestov said, his arms tightening around her middle.
“No,” she agreed, and put her hands over his. She didn’t want to leave him, didn’t even want to leave this ship really. The past week had been wonderful, and she felt at home here in so many ways. The crew gathered each evening to listen to her sing and she felt comfortable with all of them, even the obviously troubled Whovian. But more than anything else, there was Cestov. She spent almost every moment with him whether they were playing with Lilat and her brothers or preparing meals or swapping tales of life on the road. Not to mention the considerable amount of time they spent in his big bed, wrapped around each other.
You have a mission, she reminded herself. She had to find her sister and nephew and get them back to Earth. Assuming they wanted to go, that is. What if they had found somewhere where they were happy also? As long as she could see them frequently, maybe she wouldn’t have to leave Cestov.
“Where are you going next?” she asked softly.
“I promised that I would help you find your sister and then take you home. I am going wherever you go.”
Tears sprang to her eyes. “I know you said that, but I’m sure you have responsibilities too. Don’t you have a full load of cargo back there? Other than Tajka and her calves,” she added hastily.
“I do. I’ll see how much of it I can trade while we’re here, but I won’t take on any more items.” He shrugged. “It’s not the end of the world. We have sufficient financial reserves to be able to survive without new goods for an extended period of time.”
“But what about your brother?”
The familiar shadow crossed his face. Every time the subject of his brother came up, he seemed so sad. The one thing that comforted her about her parting from Judith was that they had parted on good terms. Judith and Charlie had accompanied her to her car, Charlie giving her sloppy baby kisses while Judith ran down her usual list of things that Mariah should do before she stopped and laughed.
“I know you’re far too old to need my advice,” she had said. “I just can’t seem to break the habit.”
“I don’t mind. I’m used to it. Nag.”
“Brat.” They had grinned at
each other, then Judith hugged her and took Charlie back. “I’ll see you in a couple of months?”
“I think so. After Detroit, I’ll be in Austin for a while, but I should be back on the East coast by fall.”
“Good. Maybe we can all go to the mountains for a few days when the leaves change.”
“I’d like that. Love you, Ju.”
“Love you too, Mariah.”
Judith and Charlie had stood there and waved until she was out of sight. The memory brought a fresh lump to her throat. I’m going to find you, Ju.
“Maybe your brother will be here,” she said softly now.
“I hope so. If nothing else, perhaps someone will have a record. After we land, I’ll take you to that captain that Kwaret mentioned and see if he has any information on your sister. Perhaps he will know something about Bratan as well.”
“I’m glad you’re going with me.”
“It is my honor.”
He drew her closer and they both watched as the distant planet grew larger on the viewscreen.
Finding Captain Hrebec proved more straightforward than anticipated. The Defiance had sent a communication ahead and almost as soon as they landed, the captain sent a message saying that he would meet with them. As Cestov escorted Mariah to a small office building on one side of the landing field, she found herself torn. As much as she hoped for news of her sister, locating Judith meant that she was that much closer to losing him.
Captain Hrebec was a large, older Cire with a commanding air. To Cestov’s obvious annoyance, he addressed Mariah first.
“Are you safe? Do you need assistance?”
“Of course I’m safe,” she said indignantly. “Why wouldn’t I be? But I do need your assistance with something. I’m trying to find my sister and nephew.”
“You are not here against your will?” Hrebec cast a suspicious glance at Cestov.
“I would never keep a female against her will,” he growled, wrapping his tail around her protectively.
She gave it a comforting pat. “I know you wouldn’t. If anything, this is my fault. I chose to go onboard the Vedeckian ship in the first place. I knew it was risky, dangerous even, but luck was on my side and I found Kwaret, who introduced me to Cestov.”
Hrebec hesitated, his gaze focused on her hand on Cestov’s tail, then nodded. “I can see that the two of you have bonded. Please forgive me. It’s just that…”
“Just what?” she asked.
Hrebec’s tail whipped around behind him before he spoke. “Kwaret’s suspicions were correct. It appears that Commander Khaen sold your relatives.”
The world spun dizzily. Even though she had expected to hear the news, the shock still overwhelmed her. “Who did he sell them to? I have to find her and get her free.”
Hrebec’s tail lashed again as he looked at Cestov. “I am very sorry to have to tell you this. I did not think such a thing was possible, but it appears that she was purchased by a Cire.”
“A Cire?” Cestov roared. “Who amongst us would do such a thing?”
Hrebec shook his head. “We don’t know. The only information that I found in his records is that the purchaser was planning to take her to Granica.”
“I’ve never heard of it. Where is it?” he growled. “Is it one of those decadent inner system worlds where such things are overlooked?”
“No.” Hrebec consulted a small tablet. “It is a homestead world. My understanding is that he was going to purchase a farm. There is a note in Khaen’s records about farm labor.”
“Farm labor? Judith?” Mariah gasped.
She imagined Judith as she saw her last, neatly dressed in khakis and a crisply ironed pink shirt. A choked laugh escaped her at the thought of her fastidious sister with her hands in the dirt, but she sobered rapidly as she thought of all the work that could be piled on those narrow shoulders.
“She’s not cut out for physical labor. And what about Charlie? He’s too young to work.”
“Apparently that was somewhat of a sticking point in the negotiations.” Hrebec said. “Khaen did not want to sell the child but the male insisted. I suspect Khaen must have been in a hurry because he ended up taking the deal, even though he didn’t think he had been adequately paid.”
“I have to go to Granica,” she said urgently. “I have to rescue her.”
“We will make plans as soon as we return to the Wanderer,” Cestov promised, before turning back to Hrebec. “When the ship contacted you, did they tell you that I was searching for my brother also?”
“Yes, but I have no information about him. I’m sorry. I spoke to all of the Cires in our colony and no one was familiar with the name. I also checked with Chief Medic L’chong.”
“A medic?” Cestov’s shoulders tensed and she grabbed his hand. His tail came up to circle her wrist.
“Yes. He is a good friend of ours and he oversees many of the transients with medical issues. He has no record of him either.”
Cestov’s shoulders sagged with relief.
“Is it possible that he is using another name?” Hrebec asked gently. “I know that goes against our traditions, but perhaps, if he wished to hide…”
“No, he’s not hiding from me. He left because we had a quarrel. I don’t think he even thought I would come looking for him.”
“But you did.”
“Of course. I would have set out as soon as I found he was missing, but our ship was temporarily impounded, and it took over a week to get everything straightened out. By the time we were cleared to leave, the trail had gone cold. I have been looking for him ever since.”
“I am very sorry.” Hrebec looked thoughtful. “If you do not object, I still have some contact with the Council on Ciresia. I could ask them to post a message.”
“A message?”
“Yes. Despite the Council’s best efforts, many Cires have left Ciresia. They finally acknowledged that fact and opened a message board to allow for communication between those of us spread out across the galaxy.”
“I don’t know if he will have heard of it either, but I would be most grateful if you could arrange to have a message posted or let me know how to do so.”
“Of course.” Hrebec took down Cestov’s information, then studied him thoughtfully. “You left Ciresia many years ago?”
“My father left when we were but children. My mother died from the Red Death and he couldn’t stand to be without her. He had been a merchant on Ciresia, so he purchased this trading vessel and took us with him.”
“You never had a home on another planet? Somewhere to which your brother might return?”
“Not really. Occasionally, our father would stay on a planet for a few months, usually to give us a chance to take some type of training, but I think being in one place only made him miss our mother more. Eventually, we would start traveling again.”
“That sounds like a difficult life for a child,” Hrebec said slowly.
Cestov shrugged. “It was all we really knew. I never minded. I didn’t realize that Bratan did mind. Perhaps not at first but as the years wore on, it bothered him more and more. He tried to talk to me about it and I wouldn’t listen. That is what led to our separation.”
“I am truly sorry to hear that.” Hrebec hesitated. “Would you both care to accompany me home? My mate is human and I’m sure that she would love to meet you, Mariah.”
“Human?” Mariah asked.
“Yes.” Hrebec smiled, his whole face alight with pride. “I now have two daughters and another child on the way. I never thought to have such happiness.”
“You have a mate?” Cestov repeated, his face dazed. “But I thought we could only find that bond with a Cire female.”
“As did I, but I am most definitely mated to my Abigail.” He hesitated, glancing at Mariah. “And our species are capable of cross-breeding.”
“What?” They both spoke in unison.
Her heart started to race. “Cestov, you told me—”
“I did not know. We were
always told it was impossible.”
“But that means I could be… pregnant.” The world spun in a dizzying circle and only Cestov’s arm kept her upright.
Cestov made their excuses to Hrebec and hurried back to the Wanderer. Mariah still looked dazed and he alternated between joyous excitement and utter terror. He knew absolutely nothing about raising children, especially not ones who would be half-human. Mariah was so delicate; how much more so would an infant be? He shuddered, even as the thought of her swelling with his child sent a bolt of excitement straight to his cock.
If they did have a child, how could he ever let her go? And what if she didn’t want to raise her child on a ship? He had not found his own childhood lacking but he had begun to wonder if perhaps there was something in Bratan’s desire for a home and a family after all.
Mariah still had not spoken when he followed her into their cabin. Despite his anxiety, he couldn’t help a swift, satisfied glance around at all the changes he had made to please her. The room seemed more like a home than ever before, although he knew that was more due to her presence rather than the colorful objects and soft fabrics he had added.
She walked to the bed and sat down, staring absently into space, and he followed her, kneeling in front of her to take her hands. “I’m so sorry, Mariah. I did not know.”
“No, I know you didn’t. I could see how shocked you were,” she said, her voice distant and unnaturally calm.
“My miri, please talk to me.”
A Son for the Alien Warrior (Treasured by the Alien Book 2) Page 8
